Todd Porter: How can OSU reach BCS title game?

Here is a look at the different scenarios for Ohio State as it continues to push toward a possible BCS title game berth.

Here is a possible blueprint if Ohio State is to reach the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena:

• A top three team has to lose ... DONE

Oregon’s loss to No. 5 Stanford should move the Buckeyes to No. 3 in the BCS rankings Sunday night. That is not a guarantee, and even if Baylor goes in front, the path isn’t easy for it. Putting a one-loss Stanford team in front of Ohio State is a tough sell because that one loss was to Utah.

•Ohio State MUST ... Not cause any distractions during the bye week. Urban Meyer said it at the start of the season. Distractions will cripple a talented team.

• Alabama vs LSU ... A Crimson Tide loss tonight against No. 13 LSU puts the Buckeyes and Florida State on a clear path to the national title game. Don’t hold your breath. The Crimson Tide have won the last two meetings, but the teams have split the last four.

• If ’Bama loses — Start making reservations for a California vacation in January, Buckeye fans.

• If ’Bama wins — Four more weeks of this?

• If Alabama is unbeaten after the LSU game, there isn’t much that will happen in front of the Buckeyes this week. The Crimson Tide head to the road to beat up Mississippi State and then, ahem, Chattanooga. Isn’t that the same as playing FAMU?

• Florida State at Wake Forest ... C’mon now ... let’s be real. If FSU struggles against a 35-point underdog, then the Seminoles don’t belong in the talk.

• If Florida State loses — Head to church, Buckeye fans. Someone was listening, and everyone will get to see that Meyer-Nick Saban game everyone wants.

• If Florida State wins — Status quo, unless this is combined with a ‘Bama loss and suddenly a national title can be had in Meyer’s second year. Hey, didn’t someone else do that at Ohio State?

• After this weekend ... Ohio State has to go to Illinois and beat the 3-5 Fighting Illini with style points. That means scoring 50-something and giving up less than 20. Then the Buckeyes play their final home game against Indiana. The Hoosiers are better on offense. Their defense is nonexistent. Four straight games of 600-plus yards will open eyes, regardless of competition. Don’t believe me? Look at what it did for Baylor.

• If Ohio State wins both impressively — The Buckeyes are scoring style points and people still are talking about three unbeaten teams.

• If Ohio State doesn’t win both impressively — Baylor could jump over the Buckeyes in the rankings. But don’t count on Baylor to win out. The Bears still have No. 25 Texas Tech, No. 14 Oklahoma State and Texas in the final game of the regular season in what could be Mack Brown’s last game.

• After that ... Ohio State has to go to Ann Arbor and play its best game of the year against its rival. This can be a season-saving game for Michigan, but it’s a tough matchup. The Wolverines struggle on defense and OSU’s offense should still be rolling. Making it worse, Michigan doesn’t throw the ball well, which has been Ohio State’s weakness at times. A 30-point Buckeye win gets the job done ... for now.

• Beating Michigan impressively — Ohio State still is in the national title picture.

• Beating Michigan close or losing — There isn’t any room for error and the Buckeyes should assume nothing.

• As for the others ... Assuming Alabama is No. 1, and Florida State No. 2, this is another week when the Buckeyes become fans for whomever plays Alabama. The Crimson Tide head to No. 9 Auburn in the regular-season finale. And even if Alabama wins, there’s another game that is important. Florida State is at rival Florida. Could Meyer’s old team give the old coach an assist in getting to the national title game?

• Conference championships rundown ...

• Alabama is most likely to play Missouri in the SEC Championship Game.

• Florida State likely will play Miami in the ACC Conference title game.

• If both teams are unbeaten and win, Ohio State could play a Big Ten all-star team for the conference championship and the pollsters and rankings will not send the Buckeyes to Pasadena. But Ohio State is likely to play Michigan State. This is an intriguing matchup. The Big Ten’s best defense against its best offense.